Aldara 5%
In brief
- Aldara 5% is the card name for a generic imiquimod 5% cream supplied in single-use sachets of 250 mg.
- Aldara 5% belongs to the immune response modifiers and is directed by doctors for external genital and perianal warts, actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma.
- Available here: 5 % cream, 250 mg single-use sachets, in packs from 12 to 96 sachets.
- Aldara 5% is a prescription medicine; the doctor chooses the condition treated, the schedule and the duration.
- Aldara 5% is for the outside of the body only: keep it out of the eyes, mouth, vagina and anus.
- The cream base of Aldara 5% can weaken latex condoms and diaphragms, so ask your doctor what protection to use.
- Strong local reactions with Aldara 5%, such as redness, flaking, scabbing, itching and burning, are common.
- Delivery time depends on the shipping method and is shown at checkout.
Aldara 5% Key Facts
- Active ingredient (INN): imiquimod
- What is supplied: 5 % cream in single-use sachets of 250 mg
- Sachets per pack: 12 to 96
- Drug class: topical immune response modifier
- Brand reference: Aldara; the cream offered here is its generic equivalent
- Status: prescription medicine
The Aldara 5% Name on This Card Explained
Aldara 5% is the title of this page. Behind it stands a generic imiquimod 5 % cream in single-use 250 mg sachets, equivalent to the brand Aldara. A sachet may carry a different printed name, but imiquimod 5 % remains the active ingredient and strength. This page covers the sachet cream only, in packs of 12 to 96 sachets.
Skin Conditions Where Aldara 5% Is Used
Aldara 5% is a cream for particular conditions that a doctor has diagnosed. A diagnosis matters because warts, precancerous spots and skin cancers can resemble other skin complaints.
- external genital and perianal warts (condylomata acuminata) in adults,
- actinic keratosis, the rough, scaly, sun-related precancerous patches seen mostly on the face or scalp,
- small superficial basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, where a doctor finds Aldara 5% suitable.
Warts inside the vagina, urethra or anal canal are not treated with Aldara 5%. It also leaves the wart virus in place, so fresh warts can show up after the treated ones have cleared.
How Aldara 5% Triggers a Local Immune Response
Imiquimod, the active ingredient of Aldara 5%, does not attack the lesion itself. It prompts immune cells in the skin to release signalling proteins, interferon-alpha among them, and other cytokines. That local response helps the body deal with abnormal or virus-infected cells, and it is also why the treated area often turns red, swollen and crusted.
Aldara 5% Treatment Schedules
Which schedule applies to Aldara 5% depends on the condition, and your doctor sets it. The figures are informational, drawn from typical monograph guidance, and do not replace your doctor's instructions.
| Diagnosis | Informational adult schedule | Extra detail |
|---|---|---|
| External genital and perianal warts | an application three times a week at bedtime, for as long as 16 weeks | wash the area with mild soap and water after roughly 6 to 10 hours |
| Actinic keratosis | an application twice a week for 16 weeks as prescribed, left on about 8 hours, then washed off with mild soap and water | the doctor re-examines the area afterwards |
| Superficial basal cell carcinoma | an application five times a week for 6 weeks | for biopsy-confirmed primary superficial basal cell carcinoma up to 2 cm on the trunk, neck or limbs (not hands or feet), in immunocompetent adults when surgery is less appropriate; wash off after about 8 hours |
Applying an Aldara 5% Sachet Step by Step
- Wash your hands and the area to be treated, then let the skin dry completely before using Aldara 5%.
- Take a fresh sachet every time, spread a thin layer and rub until it disappears. Use only what the area needs.
- Throw the opened sachet away; saving it for another day is not allowed.
- Skip airtight dressings over the area unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Wash your hands again afterwards.
- Stay within the number of applications your doctor gave you and stop Aldara 5% when the advised period ends.
After a forgotten application of Aldara 5%, simply use the next one at the normal time. Never double up.
Who Should Avoid Aldara 5%
- Anyone allergic to imiquimod or another ingredient in the cream.
- Anyone planning to apply it inside the vagina, urethra or anal canal, in the eyes or on the lips; Aldara 5% is strictly for external use.
- Skin that is still recovering from surgery or other treatment.
- Children, unless a doctor has specifically recommended Aldara 5%.
Before beginning Aldara 5%, tell your doctor about any autoimmune disease, immune-suppressing medicine or organ transplant.
Aldara 5%: Latex Condoms, Diaphragms and Intimate Contact
Latex condoms and diaphragms may be weakened by the cream base of Aldara 5%, so ask your doctor or pharmacist which protection suits you during treatment. When the genital area is being treated, avoid sexual contact while the cream sits on the skin and wash it off first. Aldara 5% does not prevent passing the virus to a partner.
Aldara 5% Side Effects
Frequent Aldara 5% Side Effects
- redness, swelling, itching, burning and tenderness where the cream was applied,
- flaking, scabs, skin hardening and small erosions,
- colour changes of the treated skin,
- flu-like symptoms, headache, tiredness, aching muscles and swollen glands.
The monograph gives the frequency of each effect. Local reactions to Aldara 5% can be strong, and if they are severe the doctor may suggest a rest period.
Serious Aldara 5% Side Effects
- severe skin reactions with open sores, heavy swelling or weeping fluid,
- trouble passing urine after genital use; stop applying and get urgent medical help, particularly if you cannot urinate,
- a severe allergic reaction.
See a doctor if reactions are severe, a sore looks infected, or fever or marked flu-like symptoms develop. Facial swelling, wheezing or trouble breathing requires urgent medical help.
Sunlight and Aldara 5%
Skin treated with Aldara 5% sunburns more easily. Stay away from sunlamps and tanning beds, keep sun exposure low, and cover treated areas with clothing or sunscreen.
Aldara 5% With Other Medicines and Products
- Immunosuppressants may alter how the body responds to Aldara 5%.
- Other skin products on the same patch such as creams, ointments or acids should be avoided unless your doctor approves.
- Latex items including condoms and diaphragms can be weakened by the cream.
Little imiquimod is absorbed through the skin, yet your doctor should still know every medicine you use before you begin Aldara 5%.
Aldara 5%, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, tell your doctor, who will weigh benefit against risk when deciding whether Aldara 5% is appropriate.
How to Store Aldara 5% Sachets
- Keep Aldara 5% sachets at room temperature and protect them from heat and freezing.
- Store the box beyond the reach of children.
- Do not use a torn sachet or one past its expiry date, and never reuse an opened one.
Aldara 5% and Other Treatment Choices
| Option | Substance | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Aldara 5% sachet cream | imiquimod | immune response modifier used at home on a fixed schedule |
| Podofilox solution or gel | podophyllotoxin | for external genital warts; acts directly on wart tissue |
| Fluorouracil cream | fluorouracil | for actinic keratosis; works differently and also causes strong local reactions |
| Cryotherapy | liquid nitrogen | freezing carried out at a doctor's office |
Diagnosis, location and general health guide your doctor in choosing between Aldara 5% and the alternatives.
Aldara 5% FAQ
Does Aldara 5% get rid of the wart virus?
No. Aldara 5% helps the skin deal with visible warts, but the virus stays, so new warts may appear after the treated ones clear.
Can I use leftover cream from an opened Aldara 5% sachet next time?
No. Each sachet is single-use. Open a new one for every application and throw the opened one away.
What should I do if the reaction to Aldara 5% becomes severe?
Contact your doctor. Strong local reactions are common with Aldara 5%, and the doctor can advise a rest period or a change in schedule.
Which Aldara 5% packs are offered?
Aldara 5% is supplied as a 5 % cream in single-use 250 mg sachets, in packs of 12 to 96 sachets. Delivery time depends on the shipping method and is shown at checkout.
